about

If Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) are identified at a property during a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), then a Phase II ESA will typically be recommended.  A Phase II ESA is a subsurface investigation that consists of the collection of soil, groundwater, and/or soil gas samples for laboratory analysis to determine if a property is contaminated with hazardous substances or petroleum products in excess of the State’s published cleanup criteria or screening levels.

​The Phase II ESA utilizes subsurface exploration, sampling, and laboratory analysis to identify potential contamination at a property.  Phase II ESA objectives can include:
  • Identifying the presence or absence of contamination related to an identified REC
  • Understanding of the potential environmental liabilities for the property and the financial impacts of such liabilities
  • Delineating the extent of impact to affected media (i.e. soil, groundwater, soil-gas)
  • Developing a cost-effective remediation plan

why?

Analytical results from sampling events are key in determining risk at many levels for human health exposure; limitation of liability for a new owner; financial liability; Due Care requirements and, if required, remedial design.  In Michigan, if contamination is identified on a property at a concentration that exceeds the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Generic Residential Cleanup Criteria (GRCC), the property is classified as a "facility". At that point, a Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) can be conducted for a prospective purchaser to be exempt from environmental liability. 

The following types of properties will typically require a Phase II ESA:
  • Current/former gas station sites
  • A property with reported or documented current/former underground storage tanks
  • Automotive repair facilities
  • Current/former dry cleaner sites with on-site cleaning equipment
  • Current/former manufacturing and industrial properties that potentially used hazardous chemicals or petroleum products
  • Properties with a history of spills or releases of hazardous substances or petroleum products
  • An adjoining property use, occupancy, and environmental condition is also considered
​
However, not all these types of properties will need a Phase II ESA.  If the property is in good condition and the current owner has previous environmental records to demonstrate compliance or that corrective actions have been completed at a site to the satisfaction of a regulatory authority, then a simple record review may be all that is required to meet the buyer’s business needs.

Related services